Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop
breast cancer
with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing breast cancer. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

Breast cancer is found predominantly in women and is the most common form of cancer in American women. Breast cancer in men is rare.

Although there is great emphasis on risk factors for developing breast cancer, a great many cases occur in people with no known risk factors.

Women who have a family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, or daughter) have a higher risk factor of developing breast cancer. However, a lack of family history does not protect you from developing breast cancer; approximately 90%-95% of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of this disease.

Additionally, having a genetic abnormality increases your risk. This includes the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, as well as others. Rare genetic diseases can also increase risk.

The chance of developing breast cancer increases with age; three out of four cases occur in women over age 50.
This occurs in men around age 60. Although breast cancer is more common as you age, breast cancer can occur at any age.

The following medical conditions have been found to increase the risk of developing breast cancer:

Prior personal history of breast cancer, or other abnormalities in the breast tissue

Breasts that have a high proportion of lobular and ductal tissue instead of fatty tissue, which makes the breast tissue more dense

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp. Updated December 13, 2013. Accessed January 9, 2014.